"Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally" 

 (Jon Kabat-Zinn). 

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Enhancing Your Wellbeing Through Mindfulness

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For some, mindfulness is a practice, while for others, it's a way of being. Consider this: in a single day, we might have anywhere from 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts. Without mindfulness practices, we often unconsciously bounce from one thought to another, finding ourselves ruminating excessively about various situations, experiences, and thoughts from the past, present, and future. These unconscious mental processes occur continuously, exacerbating worry and stress, leaving us distracted and unable to stay in the present moment. We're all aware that stress can have a significant impact on our physical health. Prolonged stress can lead to injuries and ailments, and if we don't find a way to reduce this stress or alter our circumstances, it can eventually result in serious illness.

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Mindfulness offers us an alternative way to manage ourselves. It encourages us to pay attention, be present, and let go, thereby interrupting the cycle of rumination and calming our minds and bodies.

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In his book on Mindfulness and Character Strengths (2014), Ryan Niemiec explores various definitions of mindfulness, including Jon Kabat-Zinn's definition and the following:

MINDFULNESS:

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• "the self-regulation of attention with the use of an attitude of curiosity, openness, and acceptance" (Bishop et al., 2004).

• "to keep one's attention alive in the present reality" (Thich Nhat Hanh, 1979).

• "helps us not to change our thoughts but to relate to our thoughts (and ourselves) in a different way" (Niemiec, 2014).

 

Mindfulness isn't just about sitting on a comfy cushion and meditating, although it can certainly include that. It's a practice of being aware of your thought processes during any activity throughout the day. Becoming more aware of these thoughts and their impact on you in the moment allows you to gradually distinguish between stressful and negative thoughts, react less, and respond more positively. Mindfulness trains your mind to approach life differently. By being more present and consciously aware, we enhance our resilience to internal thoughts and external challenges, become more available to the people and tasks at hand, and break free from the cycle of rumination. This leads to increased positive thought processes, improved mental and physical health, and a positive upward spiral of wellbeing.

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The global development of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction clinics is a testament to its effectiveness in improving health and wellbeing. Whether you're new to mindfulness or already incorporate it into your daily life, Cate has both training and experience in mindfulness practices and can guide you in shedding stressful habits and cultivating new ones based on mindful living.

 

 

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To learn more about how coaching can assist you, click below:

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